Glossary
L
label
Pieces of paper, leather, fabric, or small tablets inscribed and affixed to something for identification or description. In the context of bookbinding, refers specifically to paper or other material separate from that used to cover a book, on which the author's name and the title are printed or engraved and glued to the spine or front board.
laboratory
Rooms, buildings, or groups of buildings equipped with apparatus for scientific experiments or other research, testing, and investigations.
laboratory apparatus
A term used to refer to any equipment commonly used in a scientific laboratory. Includes flasks, beakers, test tubes and measuring cylinders.
lacquer
A varnish that dries by the process of evaporation to provide a hard, protective finish.
lactic
relating to milk
lactometer
A type of hydrometer for measuring lactose sugars in milk.
lancets
A surgical instrument of various forms, commonly sharp-pointed and two-edged. The lancet is used in venesection (the act of opening a vein for bloodletting), and in opening abscesses.
larva
The newly hatched, wingless, often wormlike form of many insects before their transition to an adult form.
laryngeal syringe
syringe used to apply medications and treatments to the larynx
laryngoscope
An instrument used to examine the larynx
larynx
An organ in the neck of mammals involved in protection of the trachea (windpipe) and sound production.
laudanum
A herbal preparation of opium. It is made by mixing ethanol with opium. In the 1800s, laudanum was prescribed by many doctors to reduce pain and aid sleep.
lavatory paper
Paper for cleansing oneself after defacation or urination
lavatory seat cover
Covers used to place over public toilet seats for personal hygiene.
laxative
An agent that acts to encourage evacuation of the bowels
leaflet
Use for small printed works consisting of one sheet folded and not stitched or bound. For larger printed works, but generally of fewer than 80 pages, often with paper covers, use "pamphlets."
leech
A type of worm that possesses suckers at both ends of its body. Formerly widely used for letting blood, the medicinal leech may now be used following microsurgery to encourage the growth of new capillaries. Leeches are found in tropical forests, grasslands and in water.
leech box
Box for containing and/or transporting leeches.
leech jar
Jar for keeping leeches in with pierced cover
lenticular
Referring to or shaped like a lentil, such as the lens of the eye